May 10, 2024 - Fri. of 6th Week of Easter (Optional Memorial of St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai)
May you continue to live out the gift of faith by your life as a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
GOD, our Abba-Father, desires that we follow Jesus, the Son of GOD. GOD has given us the gift of being disciplined learners (disciples) who come to learn from the Master-Teacher and then live out that relationship in our everyday lives. The faith-relationship we have with Jesus is gift from GOD. What we do with faith is our gift to GOD. We grow in our faith-relationship by taking what GOD has given to us and being witnesses (martyrs) to that faith as we reach out in loving service to others. Just as a mother endures birth pains to give life, so we must be willing to endure suffering, at times, in order that others may enjoy a fuller life, a life from GOD. In doing so we will have great joy for we will be part of “The Story.”
May you continue to live out the gift of faith by your life as a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
GOD, our Abba-Father, desires that we follow Jesus, the Son of GOD. GOD has given us the gift of being disciplined learners (disciples) who come to learn from the Master-Teacher and then live out that relationship in our everyday lives. The faith-relationship we have with Jesus is gift from GOD. What we do with faith is our gift to GOD. We grow in our faith-relationship by taking what GOD has given to us and being witnesses (martyrs) to that faith as we reach out in loving service to others. Just as a mother endures birth pains to give life, so we must be willing to endure suffering, at times, in order that others may enjoy a fuller life, a life from GOD. In doing so we will have great joy for we will be part of “The Story.”
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051024.cfm
Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka'i:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-damien-de-veuster-of-molokai
Readings: Acts 18: 9-18; Psalm 47: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7; John 16: 20-23
Giving and sharing life can be a real pain. This thought runs through our readings. We are being called to give life to others, even if it means pain for us.
In our First Reading we hear that St. Paul stays in Corinth for at least a year and half. He seems to have a GOoD response from most of the Gentile people in the community, at least those who accept the faith. He does meet some opposition from some of the people in the Jewish sector. They go so far as to bring Paul to civil court accusing him of “influencing the people to worship GOD in ways that are against the law.” The civil magistrate will have nothing to do with this dispute among religious groups. Paul eventually realizes that he must move on and continue his missionary travels. It is hard for him to say goodbye and have to start over somewhere else. It is a real pain for him, but he is willing to follow the Lord Jesus’ and the Holy Spirit’s direction, so that others might hear about the life that comes from Jesus.
In the Gospel’s continuing account of His Last Supper Discourse, Jesus tells His disciples that they will go through an experience similar to a woman giving birth. The pain of labor is difficult, but the woman’s grief is turned to joy as she sees the life she has carried within her becoming a life separate from her. So, in a similar way Jesus’ followers will go through rough times as Jesus suffers and dies. Yet when He rises to life, His followers will experience a joy that no one will be able to take from them.
As I reflect on the readings, I think about my own life, and I ask myself a question: Am I willing to suffer rejection or pain in order that others might have a more wholesome life? It is not easy to put myself out in such a way that I might have to suffer. Yet, that is what I am called to do as a disciple of the Lord Jesus, my Master, Who was willing to suffer and die in order that I and all people might have life and joy.
What does it mean for me in a practical way? I must be willing to sacrifice a little more of my time and energy in order that others might experience the joy of the GOoD News of Jesus. Again, that does not mean that I have to preach the Gospel with eloquent words, but I must provide an atmosphere in which others can be in touch with a loving Abba-Father, Who happens to be GOD. They need to be able to experience the joy and life of a loving Brother Who has already given His life for them. And sometimes the only way in which they will be able to experience that joy and full life is in the way I care for them.
I was talking to one of my co-workers. I mentioned that I personally found it hard to understand the attitude of some of the people in the Middle East. I know I have not had the lifestyle that they have had to endure. As we discussed the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, my co-worker said: “The Code of Hammurabi is alive and well in the Middle East.” [The Code of Hammurabi gave us the phrase “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”] It is obvious that the concept that flows through the Gospel of “turning the other cheek” [Matthew 5: 39] or “giving your shirt as well to the one who asks for asks for your coat” [Matthew 5: 40] is not the operating principle of so many people in the Middle East (or elsewhere).
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, writes about the Cosmic Egg, that has three domes or layers. The innermost layer is that of personal interest that he calls “My Story.” The next dome is that of group identities and loyalties, that Rohr calls “Our Story.” Most people, especially those whose only relationship is their tribe or group operate within this second dome. The third dome is “The Story.” This is the level of ultimate truth that “saves us from the illusion of ‘we’ and the smallness of ‘me.’” (Richard Rohr, OFM, Things Hidden - Scripture as Spirituality, pp. 20-23)
I see that the GOoD News of Jesus is challenging me to think of giving to others before satisfying my own needs – not that I should never do GOoD things for myself, but that my first priority should not be selfishly placating myself. It is important that we become the best person we can be and to fulfill ourselves, but it cannot be at the expense of others. This is operating within the third dome, “The Story.” We are to live life fully, but we are not to force others to suffer for our pleasure. It is not easy – especially in the world in which we live today when we are bombarded by advertisements that speak of self- indulgence - “My Story.” or following the party line - “Our Story.” You may have also experienced the news during the pandemic, of people not wearing masks or venturing out in large groups and not keeping social distancing, because they said, “I should make the choice for myself of what I do and not be forced to do what some mayor or governor or doctor says about doing what is best for others.” Yet the message I hear today is that I must be willing to give life and joy to others even if it means some pain for me. After all, look at the pain our Master-Teacher endured for our sake. And Jesus promises today that if we do His will, our hearts will rejoice with a joy no one can take from us, and our heavenly Abba-Father will give us what we need. Thus, we will be part of “The Story” that is “GOD’s Story.”
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever desirous of what is GOoD for us. Through Your GOoDness, You promise to give us life and joy. We so often misunderstand this to mean that we should seek our own pleasure first. Yet, through the example of Your Son, You have shown us that giving life to others often means pain for us. We ask to be guided by the wisdom that flows from Your Holy Spirit so that we can know how we can more effectively bring Your message of joy and life to others. Give us the strength we need each day to be willing to share with others, in some way, the GOoD News You have given us. May others experience the joy and life You want them to have by our caring and serving them. We ask this through Jesus, our Master-Teacher, Who has given us an example of loving service, and Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Song of the Day: Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPW9xYEyijQ
Bring the Rain by MercyMe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtjxCx-7Hps&nohtml5
Video of the Day: Father Damien of Molokai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7PuqdymSdo
Book of Interest: Things Hidden - Scripture as Spirituality, Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM. Franciscan Media
© rjk, 12-06-22
Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka'i:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-damien-de-veuster-of-molokai
Readings: Acts 18: 9-18; Psalm 47: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7; John 16: 20-23
Giving and sharing life can be a real pain. This thought runs through our readings. We are being called to give life to others, even if it means pain for us.
In our First Reading we hear that St. Paul stays in Corinth for at least a year and half. He seems to have a GOoD response from most of the Gentile people in the community, at least those who accept the faith. He does meet some opposition from some of the people in the Jewish sector. They go so far as to bring Paul to civil court accusing him of “influencing the people to worship GOD in ways that are against the law.” The civil magistrate will have nothing to do with this dispute among religious groups. Paul eventually realizes that he must move on and continue his missionary travels. It is hard for him to say goodbye and have to start over somewhere else. It is a real pain for him, but he is willing to follow the Lord Jesus’ and the Holy Spirit’s direction, so that others might hear about the life that comes from Jesus.
In the Gospel’s continuing account of His Last Supper Discourse, Jesus tells His disciples that they will go through an experience similar to a woman giving birth. The pain of labor is difficult, but the woman’s grief is turned to joy as she sees the life she has carried within her becoming a life separate from her. So, in a similar way Jesus’ followers will go through rough times as Jesus suffers and dies. Yet when He rises to life, His followers will experience a joy that no one will be able to take from them.
As I reflect on the readings, I think about my own life, and I ask myself a question: Am I willing to suffer rejection or pain in order that others might have a more wholesome life? It is not easy to put myself out in such a way that I might have to suffer. Yet, that is what I am called to do as a disciple of the Lord Jesus, my Master, Who was willing to suffer and die in order that I and all people might have life and joy.
What does it mean for me in a practical way? I must be willing to sacrifice a little more of my time and energy in order that others might experience the joy of the GOoD News of Jesus. Again, that does not mean that I have to preach the Gospel with eloquent words, but I must provide an atmosphere in which others can be in touch with a loving Abba-Father, Who happens to be GOD. They need to be able to experience the joy and life of a loving Brother Who has already given His life for them. And sometimes the only way in which they will be able to experience that joy and full life is in the way I care for them.
I was talking to one of my co-workers. I mentioned that I personally found it hard to understand the attitude of some of the people in the Middle East. I know I have not had the lifestyle that they have had to endure. As we discussed the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, my co-worker said: “The Code of Hammurabi is alive and well in the Middle East.” [The Code of Hammurabi gave us the phrase “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”] It is obvious that the concept that flows through the Gospel of “turning the other cheek” [Matthew 5: 39] or “giving your shirt as well to the one who asks for asks for your coat” [Matthew 5: 40] is not the operating principle of so many people in the Middle East (or elsewhere).
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, writes about the Cosmic Egg, that has three domes or layers. The innermost layer is that of personal interest that he calls “My Story.” The next dome is that of group identities and loyalties, that Rohr calls “Our Story.” Most people, especially those whose only relationship is their tribe or group operate within this second dome. The third dome is “The Story.” This is the level of ultimate truth that “saves us from the illusion of ‘we’ and the smallness of ‘me.’” (Richard Rohr, OFM, Things Hidden - Scripture as Spirituality, pp. 20-23)
I see that the GOoD News of Jesus is challenging me to think of giving to others before satisfying my own needs – not that I should never do GOoD things for myself, but that my first priority should not be selfishly placating myself. It is important that we become the best person we can be and to fulfill ourselves, but it cannot be at the expense of others. This is operating within the third dome, “The Story.” We are to live life fully, but we are not to force others to suffer for our pleasure. It is not easy – especially in the world in which we live today when we are bombarded by advertisements that speak of self- indulgence - “My Story.” or following the party line - “Our Story.” You may have also experienced the news during the pandemic, of people not wearing masks or venturing out in large groups and not keeping social distancing, because they said, “I should make the choice for myself of what I do and not be forced to do what some mayor or governor or doctor says about doing what is best for others.” Yet the message I hear today is that I must be willing to give life and joy to others even if it means some pain for me. After all, look at the pain our Master-Teacher endured for our sake. And Jesus promises today that if we do His will, our hearts will rejoice with a joy no one can take from us, and our heavenly Abba-Father will give us what we need. Thus, we will be part of “The Story” that is “GOD’s Story.”
- The personal question/action for today: To whom and in what way can I give a positive sense of life? How much pain am I willing to endure to bring that positive sense of life to that person? What loving service can I perform today that will enhance someone else’s appreciation for a GOoD life? How do I strike a GOoD balance between fulfilling my dreams and being of service to others?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, ever desirous of what is GOoD for us. Through Your GOoDness, You promise to give us life and joy. We so often misunderstand this to mean that we should seek our own pleasure first. Yet, through the example of Your Son, You have shown us that giving life to others often means pain for us. We ask to be guided by the wisdom that flows from Your Holy Spirit so that we can know how we can more effectively bring Your message of joy and life to others. Give us the strength we need each day to be willing to share with others, in some way, the GOoD News You have given us. May others experience the joy and life You want them to have by our caring and serving them. We ask this through Jesus, our Master-Teacher, Who has given us an example of loving service, and Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Song of the Day: Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPW9xYEyijQ
Bring the Rain by MercyMe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtjxCx-7Hps&nohtml5
Video of the Day: Father Damien of Molokai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7PuqdymSdo
Book of Interest: Things Hidden - Scripture as Spirituality, Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM. Franciscan Media
© rjk, 12-06-22